http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13567539p-14407966c.html
49ers notes: Young naps defensive honors
By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Thursday, September 15, 2005
SANTA CLARA - The 49ers began practice Wednesday with a round of applause for 12-year veteran Bryant Young, who was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his three-sack performance Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.
It was the third time Young, 33, has won the award. The last time was in 1999 after he recorded two sacks and a safety against the Atlanta Falcons.
"It definitely feels good to get a win and then something like (the award), but I can't take credit for all of it," the self-effacing defensive lineman said. "My teammates did a tremendous job, and I definitely had a supporting cast out there."
Why the sudden resurgence?
A lot of it has to do with Young's position this season. A defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme for most of his career, Young now is an end in a 3-4 defense. The alignment pits him one-on-one with offensive tackles for the first time. Early on, at least, those tackles have had a hard time handling the powerful Young, who usually is double-teamed when he plays in the middle.
"When you're down in the trenches, you're going to face double teams and sometimes triple teams," he said. "But when you get those opportunities when you're able to get one-on-one situations, the coaches always tell us we have to take advantage."
Said cornerback Shawntae Spencer of Young's performance: "Everybody knows what we're going to get from B.Y. I'm not concerned about that. When I lay my head down at night I'm concerned, Does B.Y. know what he's going to get out of Shawntae Spencer?"
Et cetera - Practice-squad player Marcus Maxwell is playing the role of Philadelphia Eagles receiver Terrell Owens this week. At 6-foot-4, Maxwell has Owens' height and said Owens is one player he models himself after. "Not so much off the field," Maxwell said, "but on the field, definitely."
• Center Jeremy Newberry said he emerged from his first full game in a year feeling sore but ready to go again Sunday against the Eagles. Newberry is listed as probable on the team's injury report; tight end Eric Johnson is doubtful.
• Cornerback Ahmed Plummer had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb but practiced and is not on the team's injury report.
The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@sacbee.com
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Way to go, Bryant!!!
49ers notes: Young naps defensive honors
By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Thursday, September 15, 2005
SANTA CLARA - The 49ers began practice Wednesday with a round of applause for 12-year veteran Bryant Young, who was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his three-sack performance Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.
It was the third time Young, 33, has won the award. The last time was in 1999 after he recorded two sacks and a safety against the Atlanta Falcons.
"It definitely feels good to get a win and then something like (the award), but I can't take credit for all of it," the self-effacing defensive lineman said. "My teammates did a tremendous job, and I definitely had a supporting cast out there."
Why the sudden resurgence?
A lot of it has to do with Young's position this season. A defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme for most of his career, Young now is an end in a 3-4 defense. The alignment pits him one-on-one with offensive tackles for the first time. Early on, at least, those tackles have had a hard time handling the powerful Young, who usually is double-teamed when he plays in the middle.
"When you're down in the trenches, you're going to face double teams and sometimes triple teams," he said. "But when you get those opportunities when you're able to get one-on-one situations, the coaches always tell us we have to take advantage."
Said cornerback Shawntae Spencer of Young's performance: "Everybody knows what we're going to get from B.Y. I'm not concerned about that. When I lay my head down at night I'm concerned, Does B.Y. know what he's going to get out of Shawntae Spencer?"
Et cetera - Practice-squad player Marcus Maxwell is playing the role of Philadelphia Eagles receiver Terrell Owens this week. At 6-foot-4, Maxwell has Owens' height and said Owens is one player he models himself after. "Not so much off the field," Maxwell said, "but on the field, definitely."
• Center Jeremy Newberry said he emerged from his first full game in a year feeling sore but ready to go again Sunday against the Eagles. Newberry is listed as probable on the team's injury report; tight end Eric Johnson is doubtful.
• Cornerback Ahmed Plummer had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb but practiced and is not on the team's injury report.
The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@sacbee.com
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Way to go, Bryant!!!
